The Interests and Priorities of Small Countries in International Politics. The Case of Lithuania: its Agenda in the EU a

1. Dr. Tomas Janeliunas, Vilnius University The Interests and Priorities of Small Countries in International Politics.The Case of Lithuania: its Agenda in the EU and OCSE"

2. Structure of the lecture Small states – how different from other states? Security interests and priorities of small states Strategies and policies by small states Lithuanian security changes after the membership in the EU and NATO Lithuania’s agenda in the EU Lithuania’s Chairmanship in the OSCE

3. Small states – a different kind of animal? Definition problem: what states are small states? Different studies of ‘the’ small state have characterized it quite distinctly. There is substantial disagreement even over what type of criteria, quantifiable or qualitative, are most appropriate to characterize the small state. In most cases, despite its attempts at formal definitions, is best characterized by an expression „I know one when I see it“

4. The behavior of „small states“ General position: small states have relatively limited power capabilities within a global international structure. It was a general agreement that small states would seek out multilateral organizations and alliances to ensure their security and achieve foreign policy goals (Vital, The Survival of Small States, 1971) However.... ....small states were in fact could be more likely that large states to engage in risky behavior (Maurice East, 1975) ... small European states, many with weak military capabilities, outperformed their larger neighbors in policy flexibility and creativity (Peter Katzenstein, 1985)

5. The way small states used to behave Small states tend to act in a such way: to exibit a low level of participation in world affairs to adress a narrow scope of foreign policy issues to limit their behavior to their immediate geographic arena to employ diplomatic and economic foreign policy instruments, as opposed to military instruments; to emphasize internationalist principles, internation law, and other „morally minded“ ideas; to secure multinational agreements and join multinational institutions whenever possible; choose neutral positions to rely on superpowers for protection, partnerships, and resources to aim to cooperate and to avoid conflict with others to spend a disproportionate amount of foreign policy resources on ensuring physicall and political security and survival

6. Security policy – the most vital element A security of the nation (or nacional security) – the most basic and vital nacional interest of a state. „A nation is secure to the extent to which it is not in danger of having to sacrifice core values if it wishes to avoid war, and is able, if challenged, to maintain them by victory in such a war." W. Lippmann. US Foreign Policy, 1943 "Security, in any objective sense, measures the absence of threats to acquired values, in a subjective sense, the absence of fear that such values will be attacked." Arnold Wolfers, 1962 Security is a lack of threats B. Buzan. People, states and fear, 1991

7. Differences in foreign and security policy of states A different foreign policy practies depends on characteristics and abilities of states: Differences in power, size, and resources Geographical, strategic position, neihbors Inner (domestic) political characteristics of a state (political regime, way of decision-making, consolidation of national interests) Historical expirience, traditions, and culture International reputation (image), activity of diplomacy

8. Small states abilities in security policy The security policy of small states is influenced by such main factors: Characterics of the international system: competition for power, existing rules of the game, drafted by „big powers“ Permanent need for security (survival) Scarce (limited) resources

9. Sources of power for small states International Law (limits the use of power, coersion, resources by big powers) International Organisations (structural power of international organisations may compensate the lack of power seeking to balance relations with big powers) More narrow interests (it may allow to concentrate limited recources) Flexibility Better abilities to concolidate the population on vital national interests

10. Strategies of small states in security and foreign policy (Non) Alignment Policy (a major choice) Involvement in the international system by choosing a specific function (for example – geopolitical function of a „bridge“, moderator, etc.) Exploitation of the sensitivity and competition among bigger states Raising and keeping a high level of tensions (sometimes even can provoke a conflict - for the purpose to attract attention and get some benefits)

11. Employment of instruments inside International Organizations Initiation of proposals Conflict mediation Veto’s for some decisions Increase of international reputation Chance to improve expertise and abilities in specific sphere

12. Membership in International Organizations Some Dilemmas: The issue of an organization: the efficiency or equity? How to ensure the efficiency in providing security or conflict solutions? New tasks for policy makers New interest – not national only, but international as well

13. The power of Lithuania and goals in foreign policy The power of Lithuania in international system (in comparative sense) is weak and Lithuania has very limited abilities to change that. This situation limits both – the abilities to get involve into international processes and willingness to do that However by increasing of activity and energy in foreign policy it is possible to enhance the structural power of Lithuania The most general goal for Lithuania’s foreign policy – to increase the structural power of the country in international sphere

14. Functions and abilities of Lithuania’s foreign policy Monitoring of neighboring and international sphere, gathering and evaluation of information; Evaluation of the possible outside risks and threats, strengthening of security; Representation of Lithuania’s national interest and lobby on international level; Expansion of the prestige of Lithuania in the world

15. Lithuania’s abilities to increase its structural power is based on the development of multilateral relations and participation in international organizations and (in)formal structures. Only for acquiring more influence in international organizations or alliances, Lithuania can balance the interest of big-powers in the international environment. Increasing influence of Lithuania in the EU and NATO and uploading of national interests onto the political agendas of these organizations is the most effective way to enhance the country's structural power Functions and abilities of Lithuania’s foreign policy (2)

16. Main tasks for Lithuania’s foreign policy To construct and maintain friendly relations at local level (in bilateral relations with its immediate neighbors); To decrease the asymmetry in the international arena by promoting closer cooperation and integration; To emphasize the issues of national identity, to formulate and maintain the optimal role of Lithuania in the international system; To use the synergy by the coordination of domestic and foreign policy.

17. Lithuania and its EU Policy Specifics of Lithuania’s EU policy: Boundaries between domestic and foreign policy are elusive. An increasing number of Lithuanian playersoperate in the EU institutions and have their own specific interests. Presentation of Lithuania’s positions inside the EU can be just a part of a more general expression of interests by other states and groups-of-states.

18. Main questions on the EU policy What kind of the Union Lithuania want to see? What Lithuania’sexpectations are towards the instruments or policies used by the EU? What should be the EU's role and policies towards other countries?

19. Policy-Taker, Driver or Killer?

20. Main Challenges in EU policy for Lithuania Negotiations on a New EU-Russia Agreement (started in June 2008, not finalised yet) EU strategy for the Baltic Sea region Eastern Partnership Program Building of the European External Action Service (EEAS) – seeking for more efficiency in the EU’s foreign policy EU Chairmanship in 2013 Introducing Euro (2014?)

21. The Lithuanian OSCE Chairmanship Main priorities: A strategic objective of the Lithuanian Chairmanship is the strengthening and full implementation of the participating States’ commitments across all dimensions of security in the Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian area. Particular attention will be given to the promotion and protection of human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law, which are at the core of the OSCE’s comprehensive concept of security. Protracted conflicts as well as existing and emerging transnational threats to security and stability is among key priorities in 2011

22. The Lithuanian OSCE Chairmanship (2) …some more (un)specific tasks: With regard to all protracted conflicts, the Lithuanian Chairmanship will further promote confidence building measures and make every effort to address urgent humanitarian needs on the ground, including ensuring free and safe humanitarian access, in particular with regard to refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), as key elements facilitating the settlement of protracted conflicts. Lithuanian Chairmanship will work towards improving and strengthening the analytical and operational capacity of the OSCE executive structures and to promote more systematic collection, collation and analysis of early warning signals from various sources

23. The Lithuanian OSCE Chairmanship (3) Regional Questions The OSCE role in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement process through the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs will be maintained. The Chairmanship will invite the parties to the conflict, as well as other OSCE participating States, to consider options of confidence-building measures and strengthening the OSCE monitoring activities on the ground. 

24. The Lithuanian OSCE Chairmanship (4) …Economic and Environmental Dimension: The Chairmanshipwill contribute to implementation of the recommendations of the OSCE Secretary General’s Report on OSCE Potential Role in Energy Security. Enhancement of the energy security dialogue will be high on the Chairmanship’s agenda.

25. The Lithuanian OSCE Chairmanship (5) Human Dimension The rapidly developing media landscape and changing technological realities call for a new look at our media freedom commitments. Hence, the Chairmanship’s intention to focus on the theme of pluralism in new media. Safety of journalists needs to be seriously addressed, taking into account the large number of cases of threats and violence against media workers in the OSCE area. An open and inclusive discussion among politicians, media and civil society should help us agree on recommendations that need to be taken in order to improve the security situation of journalists. A Chairmanship conference devoted to safety of journalists will be held in June in Vilnius.

26. The Lithuanian OSCE Chairmanship (6) the Chairmanship will rely primarily on the existing OSCE structures and mechanisms, such as the Permanent Council and its Committees and working groups, consultations in the Preparatory Committee, within the Troika and Political Dialogue meetings, and with FSC Chairs, as well as at major regular OSCE events across all three dimensions, such as the Annual Security Review Conference, Economic and Environmental Forum, Human Dimension Implementation Meeting, and others Progress achieved will be reviewed at the next OSCE Ministerial Council meeting in Vilnius on 6 and 7 December 2011.